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Applying for jobs online can be like throwing your resume down a black hole, Lisa Bonner writes. You're more likely to find success by applying directly to companies that interest you or by finding contacts to help you at those employers. "If you’re interested in a role but don’t have direct experience then take the time to draft a cover letter explaining why you think your skill set is transferable," she writes.

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In the excitement of preparing for an interview, don't forget essential items such as copies of your resume, written directions to the location and a portfolio of work examples, Sarah Lemmon writes. "Having a good portfolio not only shows that you’re telling the truth about your talents, but it also gives you fuel for talking points," she writes.

When job hunting, apply for multiple jobs at once, but don't rush your cover letters and resumes, Avery Augustine writes. Be cautious when working with a recruiter and listen to your instincts when making a decision about a position, she suggests.

If you're just starting out and don't have much job experience, include volunteer work or other extracurricular activities on your resume that can demonstrate your skills and work ethic, Alison Green writes. Start building your network through LinkedIn and tapping alumni connections to land a job, she suggests.

Job seekers can better take advantage of Facebook's Graph Search by changing their privacy settings so it will make it easier for recruiters to find them and by refining their profile, Kimberly Shrack writes. "Avoid acronyms or those 'hip' names people give positions. You’re not an accounting ninja. You’re an accountant," she writes.